PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES
Runaway success on the Delvin stage​
A Few White Lies, a play by writer and director Frank Shouldice, was staged by Runaway Drama Group on Friday and Saturday week last at St Patrick’s Hall, Delvin. The two-act play was last performed 22 years ago. Set in 2003 Ireland, at the height of the Celtic Tiger, the storyline follows three couples in their 20s and 30s. It’s a tale of affairs, guilt, and betrayals.
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There were six cast members: Laura Nagle, played Elaine; Nina O’Grady Murphy, portrayed Audrey; Johnny O’Toole, took on the role of Barry; Eoghan Geoghegan, played Michael; Emma Woulfe, was cast as Jane; and Luke Murphy played Raymond.
Director and producer Gráinne Johnston is the first female director of the play. Gráinne originally found the play in March 2025: “I met Frank by chance at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2025, and in a brief conversation I mentioned I had a script of his, and the rest is history,” said Gráinne.
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Casting had begun at the end of August, and 120 hours of hard work and dedication had gone into perfecting the play for the Delvin Hall, Gráinne told the Westmeath Examiner. “We’re amateurs, everyone has tried their best and everyone has been working full-time jobs and commuting from Dublin as well throughout.”
Both nights featured raffle prizes to win, such as from McElhinney’s Fore Men, Athboy, Flower Innovations, Kells, The Annebrook House Hotel, MJ Beauty, a breakfast hamper and more.
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With an amazing turnout on both nights, the atmosphere in Delvin Hall was vibrant and people travelling from afar to come and see the play. Additional dates for A Few White Lies are March 21sr & 22nd 2026, in Bailieborough Courthouse, Cavan.
Westmeath Examiner , Delvin, Published: Tue 25 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM
Gráinne Johnston Director ,Frank Shouldice Playwright.
Back from left, Taylor Lee, Paula Mullen, Jordie (Baxter) Thompson, Laura Nagle, Nina O’Grady Murphy, Emma Woulfe and Gráinne Johnston; front, Ronan Leonard, Johnny O’Toole, Eoghan Geoghegan and Luke Murphy.
Cast members of A Few White Lies, back, Laura Nagle, Nina O’Grady Murphy, Emma Woulfe and Gráinne Johnston (director); front, Johnny O’Toole, Eoghan Geoghegan and Luke Murphy.
Ronan Leonard (MC and set sponsor), Tony Comiskey (volunteer), Gráinne Johnston (director and producer) and Frank Shouldice (playwright).
Ciara Cunningham from South Africa, Eimear Quinn from Crossakiel, and Lisa Cunningham from South Africa.
The crowd ready to see A Few White Lies in Delvin Hall.
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New theatre group staging maiden production in Delvin
The Good Sister by Runaway Productions tells the story of two sisters who are very different and depend on one another for different reasons.
The play follows Maggie (played by writer/ director/actor Leah McDwyer), a new widow who is struggling to cope after the death of her husband. She does not want to leave the house and has started drinking heavily.
Maggie’s only link to the outside world is her sister Sally (Paula Mullen), who is desperately trying to help her sister in all the wrong ways, and that leads to a lot of confrontation and misunderstandings between them.
Runaway Productions describe the play as “a poignant exploration of the bond between sisters and how they can help each other through difficult times – whether they like it or not”.
“It is both sad and funny, heart-warming and thought-provoking. The audience will be taken on an emotional journey that will leave them feeling uplifted and inspired.”
Writer/ director/ actor Leah says that she and her colleagues are “thrilled to be presenting The Good Sister as our first production”.
“We have a talented cast of local actors, musicians and artists who have worked tirelessly to bring this play to life. We hope that audiences will come out to support us and enjoy an evening of great theatre.
“We are even fortunate enough to have an original piece of music to score this play, written and performed by Andrew Lawlor especially for the production.” (The Westmeath Examiner)
The Good Sister
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From left, Maggie (played by writer/director/actor Leah McDwyer) and Sally (Paula Mullen).